CIA chief warns Trump: U.S. intelligence doubts Iran’s intent in nuclear talks

CIA Director John Ratcliffe has told President Donald Trump and other senior officials that U.S. intelligence raises serious doubts about whether Iran באמת intends to make the nuclear concessions Washington wants in a final deal, according to three sources familiar with the discussions. The assessment found a contradiction between how Iranian officials speak among themselves and the messages they have sent to U.S. intermediaries. Those concerns were echoed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, while Vice President JD Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner backed the emerging framework.

The debate comes after a series of high-level meetings over the past week, as Trump and his team reviewed the intelligence ahead of an expected announcement on Sunday. A source said the intelligence shows that “the Iranian intentions are not consistent with their commitments under the agreement.” The CIA and State Department declined to comment. A White House official said Trump listens to all views but is the final decision-maker, and insisted the memorandum of understanding meets the administration’s red lines, including ensuring Iran cannot get a nuclear weapon or keep high-enriched uranium.

The initial 14-point memorandum, signed Sunday, is only a bridge to a more detailed nuclear agreement expected within 60 days. Vance, Witkoff and Kushner are due to meet on Friday with Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with Pakistani and Qatari mediators, to discuss the next phase. The arrangement extends the ceasefire and sets a 60-day negotiating period, with the option to extend it by mutual consent.

Under the text described by sources, Iran would keep its nuclear status quo while talks continue, and the U.S. would refrain from new sanctions or additional troop deployments. If a final deal is reached, Washington would withdraw forces mobilized for the conflict within 30 days and lift all sanctions on Iran on an agreed timetable. The document also links progress to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, possible release of Iranian funds on a “payment for performance” basis, and a future $300 billion reconstruction and development fund for Iran. Senator Lindsey Graham called for immediate publication of the text, saying he is concerned that Tehran’s understanding of the deal differs from the American version.